LOGINhow do we feel?
"Kael, where are we going?" Elena asked as she allowed herself to be led through the academy."You'll see," Kael replied, a knowing grin spreading across his face.He led her into the garden, his steps light with excitement. It had been two days since he and Rowan had spoken properly, but he was sure his friend would still be waiting where he had told him to stay. As they rounded the familiar path, Kael's smile widened.Then it stopped.The bench beside the pond was empty.His footsteps slowed until they came to a complete halt.The grin on his face remained for a moment longer before it gradually faded, replaced by something uncertain."Your Highness?"Elena looked at him in confusion."Are you alright?"Kael didn't answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the empty bench, as though he expected Rowan to appear at any second.A dry laugh escaped him."...Ha."He rubbed the back of his neck before forcing a smile onto his face."He probably figured I was bringing you."His voic
Elaine held the bouquet of roses carefully in her arms as she made her way toward the teachers' lounge. She had almost reached the staircase when she heard someone call her name. Turning around, she found Rowan walking toward her with his usual calm expression."Senior Rowan.""I never got the chance to thank you properly," Elaine said, adjusting the flowers in her arms. "For staying with me that night." Rowan simply shrugged as if it had been the most natural thing in the world. "Don't sweat it.""It means a lot to me though." Her voice was quieter this time, carrying a sincerity she rarely let anyone hear. Rowan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked into her blue eyes, and beneath the calm expression she wore so well, he could still see the waves she was trying so hard to keep buried.A small smile appeared on his face, though there was a weight behind it that even he couldn't hide."You should communicate your feelings more clearly, Elaine."Before she could respon
Kael walked through the hallways, his eyes wandering from one corridor to the next in search of a familiar figure. It had been two days since he had last seen Rowan. He knew Rowan was avoiding him, but that didn't mean he intended to do the same. If Rowan truly was leaving, Kael refused to let their last memory be an argument. He let out a weary sigh as he turned the corner, only to collide with someone. Papers scattered across the floor."I'm sorry," he said quickly, bending down to gather the sheets. As he picked up the last one, his eyes landed on the familiar handwriting. "...Elaine?" He looked up, only to find her already watching him. "Your Highness," she greeted quietly. Kael frowned as he handed the papers back to her. "Call me Kael... like you used to."The last part slipped out so softly that even he wasn't sure if she had heard it.Elaine accepted the papers and carefully straightened the edges before holding them against her chest. "Your Highness is rather diff
Rowan turned at the sound of footsteps and found Elena looking at him with a puzzled expression."What happened?" she asked, glancing in the direction Phoebe had disappeared. "The Saintess-to-be looked... angry."Elena hadn't heard enough to understand what they had been talking about. She only knew something had happened, and somehow Rowan had been at the center of it.Rowan held her gaze for a moment, and a dull ache settled in his chest. Kael had been angry. Phoebe had been disappointed. He had expected both reactions. But Elena... how was he supposed to tell her that he was choosing to walk away from all of them?A small smile found its way onto his lips."Nothing," he said simply before turning to leave."Are you going somewhere?"Her voice made him stop.Rowan stood there with his back to her, his fingers tightening ever so slightly around the wooden practice sword in his hand."Senior Rowan..." Elena said softly. "I didn't hear everything, but... if something's wrong, mayb
CHAPTER 54Kael sat on the edge of his bed, a towel draped over his head as he dried his damp hair. His gaze drifted through the open window to the academy gardens below, where students laughed as they passed by. A small smile found its way onto his lips. For the first time in a while, things felt peaceful. He was protecting his people, training hard, and the kingdom was moving toward a brighter future.His eyes wandered to the necklace resting on the bedside table.The smile slowly faded.He still hadn't asked her. Every time he decided today would be the day, he remembered the look on her face during their last conversation and the words refused to leave his mouth. He sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. If only Father were here. He'd know what to do. Kael hated uncertainty, and lately it felt like every decision he made only led to more of it.He stood and began pacing the room, trying to clear his thoughts. As he turned, something resting on his desk caught his attentio
Rowan sat alone on a wooden bench, his elbows resting on his knees. It had been a day since Stylus visited him, yet he still hadn't found the courage to tell anyone he was leaving. The academy buzzed with excitement over the upcoming festival, and he couldn't bring himself to ruin it.A twig snapped behind him.Rowan didn't bother turning around."Come out."The figure stepped out from behind the trees and casually took the empty seat beside him. Neither of them spoke for a while, the silence between them strangely comfortable, as though they had shared it countless times before."What do you want?" Rowan finally asked.The figure smiled, tilting their face toward the afternoon sun."Nothing, really. I just find it amusing watching you battle with your own mind."Rowan finally looked at them."You did this, didn't you?"The figure shrugged."I haven't done anything. You, on the other hand..."Rowan looked away, letting out a quiet sigh."I wasn't going to involve myself in your mis
“The princess versus Elaine?”“I want to see how strong she really is.”Murmurs spread across the yard in restless waves, growing louder as more students gathered closer to the center. Heads turned, conversations overlapped, and anticipation built quickly, drawn to the pairing that had already set
Elaine could feel it more and more with every passing hour. The pull between Kael and Seraphina was no longer something she could pretend not to notice. She had seen it in the corridor, in the way his attention shifted toward her without meaning to, in the way his wolf reacted before he even spoke.
The carriage slowed as it approached the gates of Lycoria Academy, and Elena’s chest tightened before they even stopped. The walls rose high and cold, carved from dark stone that seemed to swallow the light. Students moved beyond the entrance in small groups, their voices low and familiar. Elena st
Elena Hayes knew she did not belong in that hall long before anyone said it. The way people looked at her made it obvious, their eyes sliding past her like she was not worth noticing. Even standing next to her own sister felt wrong, like she was in a place that was never meant for her.The two girls







